LA Tenorio is trying to make it simple now that he’s assuming double duties being the playing head coach of a Magnolia side hounded by injuries.
“If I’m playing on the court, hindi ako coach, player ako,” the 41-year-old great said.
“So, sila na bahala sa labas. But if I’m on the bench, then I’m a coach.”
Yet he’d be the first to admit that it’s by no means easy, not only because it’s his first time but due to the fact as well that he’s doing so with a new team.
“It’s different, because I’m still new to the team. Basically, I’m still learning the players. Hindi pa, unlike when I was with Ginebr,a where I played for 10 years, 11 years, ‘di ba? Dito kasi, nagkakapaan pa rin eh,” he shared.
Proof of that was Sunday, when the decorated floor general finally suited up for the Hotshots only for it to end up in disappointment as they bowed to TNT by way of a 94-83 result in a crucial PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup encounter.
Much of the focus was on Tenorio, whose return was predicated on necessity as his backcourt rotation suffered a tough blow following the injuries to Jerom Lastimosa and Paul Lee during their eventual loss to Rain or Shine in Bahrain.
(C) PBA Images
He made history along the way as well, becoming just the seventh player in league history to serve as a playing head coach and the first since Sen. Manny Pacquiao during his time with Kia (now known as Terrafirma).
But all that became a footnote as Magnolia lost, ending its bid to secure a top-four finish, which merits a win-once incentive in the quarterfinals.
“We’ve been together for three months pa lang,” lamented Tenorio, who was brought in to replace Chito Victolero back in July–the same month in which he played his last game with the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel franchise.
“Marami pa kaming matutunan sa isa’t-isa. As a coach sa kanila, I’m still learning their specific spots, and strengths and weaknesses,” he added.
The result means that they will have to overcome a twice-to-win disadvantage against either the Tropang 5G or Converge if they are to reach the semifinals, which, indeed, is a tough predicament to be in for the young coach.
Still, Tenorio is doing what he can to keep his wards grounded and locked in as he, too, acknowledges that everything is going to be a process.
“There’s gonna be a lot of frustration and disappointment just like this because hindi naman kami basta-basta team na pasok ako ng sistema, magwo-work kaagad. It’s not gonna be like that,” he said. “In a perfect world, why not?
“I always tell my players just to keep fighting, get better, and trust the process,” he added.
“Marami pang kailangan ayusin. Kailangan lang ng pasensiya. We still have to have patience and belief dito sa mga ginagawa namin.”
